Mining and Harvesting: Resource Development and the Mixed Economy in Nunavik

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1 Mining and Harvesting: Resource Development and the Mixed Economy in Nunavik Isabel Lemus-Lauzon Northern Sustainable Research Chair & MinErAL Network ICASS IX Conference June 8th-12th 2017 Umeå, Sweden

2 CONTEXT C Royalties

3 Active mines Exploration ( ) Villages S. Plante, unpublished data

4 The «Plan Nord», a sustainable development plan? OBJECTIVES AND METHODS Promote and capitalize on mining development Economic opportunities and social impacts

5 OBJECTIVES AND METHODS Examine the relationships between mining and land-based (subsistence) practices Semi-directed interviews with community members and representatives (8 in Salluit and 13 in Kangiqsujuaq)

6 SUBSISTENCE ECONOMY AND THE MIXED ECONOMY Subsistence is a highly complex notion that includes vital economics, social, cultural and spiritual dimensions. The harvesting of renewable resources provide Inuit with food, nutrition, clothing, fuel, harvesting equipment and income. Subsistence means much more than mere survival or minimum living standards. It is a way of life that requires special skills, knowledge and resourcefulness. It enriches and sustains Inuit communities in a manner that promotes cohesiveness, pride and sharing. (Inuit Circumpolar Conference, 1992)

7 SUBSISTENCE ECONOMY AND THE MIXED ECONOMY Subsistence is an economic system In Nunavik, results from a recent study (Rodon et al, unpublished data) on land-based economy showed that the financial value of harvest products was between $ and $/year by household

8 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 1. Mining economy provides financial support to harvesting activities Once the rotation is off then when they go to their home then they go hunting. They re still able to provide cause they re making an income and then with that income once they re back home they re able to go buy a ATV, buy a snowmobile, buy a canoe or a boat hunting so. Michael Cameron, Salluit Photo: Thierry Rodon

9 Many obstacles prevent Nunavimmiut from fully benefiting from economic opportunities Low Inuit employment rate Economic leakage Increase training and recruitment opportunities for Inuit employees Tamatumani program Promote and support local and social entrepreneurship Glencore

10 RESULTS 2. Mining can impact social and subsistence networks It [the mine] has really helped the community, the people, but the way of life, it has changed. Qiallak Qumaaluk, Kangiqsujuaq Indigenous economies rely on a complex social organisation that tie families and generations together in a wide social network. fly-in fly out schedules

11 Country food is increasingly being sold in the communities They started to selling the food.[ ] Even the caribou, caribou meat, 20$ Ziploc. Beluga meat, 20$ Ziploc, the dry meat. They re selling food! That, it was not our culture. Qiallak Qumaaluk, Kangiqsujuaq It s not traditional, did not happen 10 years ago. Today, meat is being sold, some people want to buy. More people want to buy. Jaani Arnaituq, Kangiqsujuaq Inuit people who are working up there [at the mine], they just look at geese, they just watch caribou, they just see ptarmigan, they re not allowed to kill them while working there. It s not easy looking at your own food and not eating it! Molly Tayara, Salluit Implement mitigation measures to alleviate the impacts of FIFO: family support programs, flexible schedules etc.

12 RESULTS 3. Mining can alter resource base We are concerned for the animals [ ] Are they gonna be endangered where we can t harvest them for our families? [This would lead to] lots more store bought food and with the price of food in the stores they ll be a lot more people that are in poverty and hungry. Michael Cameron, Salluit Yeah.., the fishing over there in Deception Bay is very bad now, it s contaminated from the dust from the trucks coming through the lake area. I don t need that, I don t need that stuff anymore, I don t need that fish. They pushed us don t come here. That s where we used to go fishing and they re blasting explosives in that lake and those fish are great and now popping up you know? Adamie Alaku, Kangiqsujuaq Ungoing communication with the communities Implement an ungoing and transparent monitoring program

13 CONCLUSION Conclusion I think, you know, one day the mine is going to close, and then what is going to be left for the people? Yaaka Yaaka, Kangiqsujuaq Kelly Nochasak Mclean

14 KNOWLEDGE MOBILIZATION Interactive map + podcast

15 TACK! Nakurmik to the communities and research participants that made this research possible We wish to acknowledge the support from the FRQNT and ARCTICenter